The recruiting race is hitting full gear for many of the nation's top prospects as we approach the football season.

Rivals.com recruiting analysts Greg Biggins and Rick Kimbrel bring you the latest on 25 of the West region's best prospects and some insight as to which teams we feel are in the driver's seat to land each prospect.

Preseason take: Scott is the nation's top running back prospect, and getting him to open up too much about recruiting has been very tough. There are some that believe Colorado is the team to beat because of previously established relationships. Others believe he's going to end up somewhere back in the Southeast, where he's from originally. That's where teams like LSU and Florida State could factor into the equation.

Preseason take: The good news is that we shouldn't have to wait much longer to find out where Katoa plans to play. It appears that it's a two-team race between Big 12 powers Texas and Oklahoma. However, he has offers from several other national powers who could come in and pull an upset. If the USC Trojans get serious with Katoa, this could take a turn.

Preseason take: Jones has had a consistent top two for a little while now. Cal and Oregon are fighting for his commitment. He is scheduled to visit the Ducks for an official visit in September. Does that visit mean the Ducks lead, or is he just going to get a chance to see his top two teams in action when Oregon welcomes Cal to town?

Preseason take: Koehler is one of the strongest and most powerful players in the country. Play him at defensive tackle. Play him at guard. It doesn't matter which position he plays, because he'll do a great job. Koehler says he is a little partial to Hawaii. He also likes USC because he knows several players that have gone there, but noted that he has not heard too much from the Trojans lately. Koehler has not determined who his leaders are at this time.

Preseason take: Things appeared to be shaping up quite nicely for Tuioti-Mariner to land a coveted USC offer, but he got injured and will miss his senior season. The Trojans are going to monitor him, and if the offer comes then he would likely accept it. Other programs like Arizona, BYU, Cal, Oregon, Oregon State and others are trying to land him.

Preseason take: Guy is one of the most athletically gifted defensive tackles in the nation. Arizona and ace recruiter Darrell Wyatt have already made a big impression on him, so they look to be a quiet leader. However, watch out for Arizona State, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Those schools are very much in the hunt, and it's this race likely won't be over for quite some time. Guy indicated that he wants to visit Oklahoma early in the season.

Preseason take: Khaled Holmes is the younger brother of former USC tight end Alex Holmes, so it looks like the Trojans are the team to beat here. He's had a USC offer for quite some time, and many people thought he would be on the pledge list long ago. He is also good friends with recent Trojan pledge Blake Ayles. Khaled said he's going to look at all of his options and take visits to USC, Cal, Stanford and Notre Dame.

Preseason take: At one point Stevens was committed to UCLA, but he decided to open up his recruitment. USC appeared to be interested, but at this point he doesn't hold an offer from the Trojans. UCLA still continues to push for a commitment. Stevens is also considering Oregon, Colorado, BYU and Arizona as possible visit destinations.

Preseason take: A classic Pac-10 Pacific Northwest race is brewing to land Thompson. While other teams like Boise State seem to hold an outside shot at getting him, this one clearly looks like an Oregon-Washington tussle. One advantage that Oregon might seem to have is that they want him to play offense. However, there is also a lot of pressure on him to stay close to home and play for the Huskies.

Preseason take: Jordan is a playmaking tight end that some schools are also looking at to play defense. He's going to take an official visit to Nebraska early in September. With the Huskers' track record in Arizona lately, it wouldn't be shocking to see him end up there. But don't think that Mike Stoops is going to give up without a fight on this one. Oregon State could also be a team to keep an eye on, too.

Preseason take: Arizona is seemingly in a very good position to land Polk at this point. The Wildcats, led by Tim Kish, have established a very good bond with him and it's going to be tough to get him out of the state. Other teams like Arizona State, Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Oregon State and Washington are involved. Oklahoma State could be a surprise team to keep an eye on here.

Preseason take: It looks like things are starting to shape up for Deehan. He has four visits already lined up - Arizona State, Oregon, Colorado and Washington. Deehan talks openly about his fondness for Arizona State because of the way it uses its tight ends. He might make a decision sooner rather than later.

Preseason take: Bass claims no leaders, but he has official visits to Ole Miss, Iowa State and Minnesota scheduled. He thinks he has a great shot at being a star at each of those places, but distance may play a factor. That's why a team like Arizona State in the Pac-10 can seem awfully appealing to Bass.

Preseason take: His brothers Chris and Ma'ake both played for the University of Utah, so it wouldn't be shocking to see him end up playing there. But Oregon State has done a great job in Hawaii the past few seasons, and the Beavers' efforts here can't be ignored. Kemoeatu, though, still hasn't tipped his hand. Teams like Cal, UNLV or another Pac-10 program could move up the charts.

Preseason take: Samuel is a two-sport star and that has made his recruitment very interesting. He lists his top teams as Arizona, Nebraska, Colorado and West Virginia. He's scheduled to take an early official visit to Nebraska, so that may be a sign as to where he's leaning. Teammate DeVonte Christopher is looking hard at the Cornhuskers, so it could be a nice double-dip for Nebraska.

Preseason take: One of the most explosive rushers in the West, DeBoskie is also a very talented student off the field. Because of his academic prowess, teams like Cal and Stanford immediately jump off the list of his offers. He'll be tempted by other national programs like Alabama, Arizona State, Clemson and Florida, but don't be surprised if he stays in the Pac-10.

Preseason take: Tim Kish doesn't let guys like Schlink get away too often, which is why the smart money early on is on Arizona. The Wildcats have done a great job with him, but Schlink also looks like he's going to take some official visits. That's where teams like Arizona State, California, Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Stanford and others could become factors. Schlink has been rather quiet about his choices lately, so it might be awhile before we know what he's thinking.

Preseason take: Ta'amu was great everywhere he went this summer and spring. He's a true mauler inside and will be an excellent offensive guard on the next level. This continues to look like a two-team race between Washington and Oregon. Many believe Ta'amu is Washington's to lose. With the recent success Tyrone Willingham has had locally, it wouldn't be a shocker for him to pick the Huskies.

Preseason take: Carroll has been very quiet about his favorites this summer, so this is probably the biggest mystery on the list. Arizona has done a seemingly good job with him early, and the Wildcats do work the Bay Area really hard. It's tough to tell what Carroll is thinking since he hasn't done an interview in a while. He does have Arizona, Arizona State, Nebraska, Oregon, UCLA and Washington offers on the table.

Preseason take: Nobody had a bigger summer than Anthony. He was great at the NIKE Camp and turned quite a few heads at other summer stops. It was at one of those camps - at Michigan - where he proved he belonged on the national stage. He picked up an offer from the Wolverines, and most believe they're the team to beat. Others like Nebraska, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado could also sleepers in this race, and don't be shocked if Cal is in this until the end.

Preseason take: Womble has that he plans to head out of state. That's why it's clear that North Carolina and South Carolina are the front-runners. He has set up a visit to South Carolina, and Wisconsin is also going to get a visit in November. Nebraska is also expected to get a visit. However, this is going to be a battle of the Carolina's because he has a lot of family ties to the region.

Preseason take: Shakerin is one of the more underappreciated running backs in the nation. Maybe it's because he's from Utah. Whatever the reason, enough people don't realize that he's a very special player. When it comes to Utah players you can never overlook both BYU and Utah. But when a national team like LSU comes knocking on your door, it's tough not to take a long look.

Preseason take: Germany has been MIA this summer, and nobody has talked to him about what the latest is with his recruiting process. He has looked good at NIKE camp and other summer stops. But since then he's not talked about favorites, leaders or anything at all recruiting related. This is probably the second hardest guy to read.

Team to Beat:

Biggins: Cal, Kimbrel: Cal

Darkhorse:

Biggins: Arizona State, Kimbrel: Arizona State

Jamaar Jerrett, DE, San Marcos (Calif.) Mission Hills.

Preseason take: Jarrett could eventually grow into a defensive tackle, but he also has great potential at defensive end. Following his junior season Jarrett was leaning toward USC, but the Trojans haven't really pushed hard on him. That has opened up the door for Michigan, Nebraska, Cal and Oregon. He'd like to visit all four of those schools and then find a fifth to visit.

Preseason take: Magee is an excellent baseball prospect, and some people are whispering that he might be a future first-round selection. On the football field, he likes Arizona and Arizona State. He also mentions Nebraska and Washington as places he might visit. Both of the Arizona schools have talked to him about playing both sports in college.